WHERE LIFE GETS EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL

Family Owned & Locally Operated Since 2001

Family Air in Ketchikan, Alaska offers spectacular flightseeing, fishing, bear viewing, lake trips, and air charters in Southeast Alaska.

Family Air Tours is offering a winter special discount 10% off or 4 for the price of 3 if booked and paid in full before March 15th 2019! Available for Deluxe & Basic Misty Fjords and Mini Fishing Packages.

EXPLORE

WELCOME TO FAMILY AIR

We hope to make your visit with us here in Ketchikan, Alaska one that will stay with you for a lifetime. Whether it’s some of the best fly fishing in Southeast Alaska, breathtaking views of the Misty Fjords National Monument, or Bear Viewing at Anan Creek, Family Air would love to take you there.

5 hrs

GUIDED BEAR VIEWING

FLOWN TO ANAN CREEK

5 hrs

FULL GUIDED FISHING

FLY-OUT TOUR

5 hrs

GUIDED BEAR VIEWING

FLOWN TO ANAN CREEK

MEET THE PLANE

All our tours are flown in a Cessna 185 on Aerocet Floats, maintained to the highest standards that surpassed FAA Guidelines.

Every seat is a window seat, so there is equally stunning views from all sides. Our noise reduction headsets and intercom system enable you to clearly hear and talk with the pilot througout the flight.

Our plane comfortably holds up to (4) passengers. We look forward to flying with you!

MEET THE PILOT

MEET THE PILOT

When people ask me where I grew up I usually respond, "I don't know". Either I don't feel that I grew up or can't really pick the place where it might have happened. My junior and senior high school years were spent in a small dairy farming community in upstate New York called Cobleskill. College years were misspent in Cobleskill and Albany, New York. In 1975 I moved from New York City to Port Orchard, Washington and then to Bainbridge Island, Washington.

In 1982 I wrote some resumes (mostly fiction) and convinced a fishing lodge in Alaska that I would make a good fishing guide and worked the next eight summers guiding in Alaska and goofing off in either Florida, Mexico or Washington during the winters. One of the lodges had airplanes and I saw that the pilots lazed around, drinking coffee, while directing us guides to do their work, I thought, "I like coffee".

In 1986 - 1988 I obtained my pilot's licenses to start what I thought would be an easy and carefree existence. Unfortunately I have never found any guides or anyone else who was as easily hornswaggled as I was and so have never realized the life of leisure I aspire to. I worked another two years as a pilot/guide and then nine years for Taquan Air in Ketchikan, Alaska, first as a line pilot, then as Chief Pilot, then as Director of Operations.

READ MORE ABOUT DAVE

Meet Dave

When people ask me where I grew up I usually respond, "I don't know". Either I don't feel that I grew up or can't really pick the place where it might have happened. My junior and senior high school years were spent in a small dairy farming community in upstate New York called Cobleskill. College years were misspent in Cobleskill and Albany, New York. In 1975 I moved from New York City to Port Orchard, Washington and then to Bainbridge Island, Washington.

In 1982 I wrote some resumes (mostly fiction) and convinced a fishing lodge in Alaska that I would make a good fishing guide and worked the next eight summers guiding in Alaska and goofing off in either Florida, Mexico or Washington during the winters. One of the lodges had airplanes and I saw that the pilots lazed around, drinking coffee, while directing us guides to do their work, I thought, "I like coffee".

In 1986 - 1988 I obtained my pilot's licenses to start what I thought would be an easy and carefree existence. Unfortunately I have never found any guides or anyone else who was as easily hornswaggled as I was and so have never realized the life of leisure I aspire to. I worked another two years as a pilot/guide and then nine years for Taquan Air in Ketchikan, Alaska, first as a line pilot, then as Chief Pilot, then as Director of Operations.

In 1996 I called up Alice, who I had gone out with 13 years earlier when we were both working for Waterfall Resort on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska. I ask her if she would like to go out to dinner (she was in Colorado, I in Alaska) she said yes and we married a year later. Some women will do just about anything to come to Alaska.

In 2001 I asked Alice if we could go into business for ourselves in a one plane/one pilot airtaxi (we had just bought a house so we had lots of free cash). For some reason she said yes and that's how I got here. I've been doing this for 14 years now, and find that it was a great decision, even though I still haven't found anyone to do all the work yet.

We'd love to show you this part of Alaska, we specialize in customized trips for you. Please call us for information, whether it's to go see bears, the Misty Fjords/Glaciers, go fishing, go camping or maybe you have an unique idea of your own. I'll share my experience with you and help make your Alaska vacation the one you've dreamed of.

Alice died on July 4, 2006 from breast cancer that had spread throughout her body. She was 53. We all miss her very much and I still think of Family Air as her creation as much as mine.

While Alice was alive she reminded every woman over 40 or at a high risk for the disease to get annual breast exams and mammograms. She encouraged others in their fight against cancer and reminded them that the survival rate is high for those with early detection.

She also was very saddened by those young (and older) people who use tobacco in any form, as it raises the risk for all types of cancer and other diseases.

If you live in Ketchikan, Southeast Alaska, or just have generous heart, you might think of donating to First City council on Cancer they were a great help in our fight and they are a great local organization.

The following websites can give you more information.

"The two trips we had with you (to Misty Fjords and to Waterfall Resort) were among the most memorable experiences of my 56 years. Your friendliness, humor, and obvious competence were noted and much appreciated. I hope to bring my wife there next summer, and you may be sure that we'll book with you.” - L.M.

“Dave took us out today for incredible day fishing in a remote lake. So much fun Couldn't have asked for a better guide, pilot, and friend. Thanks for making our day great.” - Joe O.

“BY FAR the best experience my family has ever had! If you have a chance to do this, YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!” - Melissa A.

“Our first time ever in a float plane and Family Air Tours was excellent! It was the highlight of our trip to Ketchikan. David was an awesome pilot and shared a lot of good info about the area during our ride. It was a pleasure to fly with you!” - Nicole N.

“We had an amazing time with Dave both fishing and flight seeing! Great guide, fisherman and very patient teacher. Was the highlight of Ketchikan! Plus we caught lots and lots of fish!” - Chris O.

“This family of 4 thoroughly enjoyed our first off-the-boat excursion with Family Air Tours. Kendra picked us up at the dock, took us to the shop, suited us up and took us to Dave. We loved the flight and fly-fishing experience. Everyone caught fish and our youngest (11 y/o) caught 6! Dave was great with our girls (13 & 11) and mom who was beyond rusty with a fly-rod. Next time we're back in Ketchikan, we're booking another fishing trip with Family Air Tours.” - Steph L.

CONTACT US

Meet Dave

When people ask me where I grew up I usually respond, "I don't know". Either I don't feel that I grew up or can't really pick the place where it might have happened. My junior and senior high school years were spent in a small dairy farming community in upstate New York called Cobleskill. College years were misspent in Cobleskill and Albany, New York. In 1975 I moved from New York City to Port Orchard, Washington and then to Bainbridge Island, Washington.

In 1982 I wrote some resumes (mostly fiction) and convinced a fishing lodge in Alaska that I would make a good fishing guide and worked the next eight summers guiding in Alaska and goofing off in either Florida, Mexico or Washington during the winters. One of the lodges had airplanes and I saw that the pilots lazed around, drinking coffee, while directing us guides to do their work, I thought, "I like coffee".

In 1986 - 1988 I obtained my pilot's licenses to start what I thought would be an easy and carefree existence. Unfortunately I have never found any guides or anyone else who was as easily hornswaggled as I was and so have never realized the life of leisure I aspire to. I worked another two years as a pilot/guide and then nine years for Taquan Air in Ketchikan, Alaska, first as a line pilot, then as Chief Pilot, then as Director of Operations.

In 1996 I called up Alice, who I had gone out with 13 years earlier when we were both working for Waterfall Resort on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska. I ask her if she would like to go out to dinner (she was in Colorado, I in Alaska) she said yes and we married a year later. Some women will do just about anything to come to Alaska.

In 2001 I asked Alice if we could go into business for ourselves in a one plane/one pilot airtaxi (we had just bought a house so we had lots of free cash). For some reason she said yes and that's how I got here. I've been doing this for 14 years now, and find that it was a great decision, even though I still haven't found anyone to do all the work yet.

We'd love to show you this part of Alaska, we specialize in customized trips for you. Please call us for information, whether it's to go see bears, the Misty Fjords/Glaciers, go fishing, go camping or maybe you have an unique idea of your own. I'll share my experience with you and help make your Alaska vacation the one you've dreamed of.

Alice died on July 4, 2006 from breast cancer that had spread throughout her body. She was 53. We all miss her very much and I still think of Family Air as her creation as much as mine.

While Alice was alive she reminded every woman over 40 or at a high risk for the disease to get annual breast exams and mammograms. She encouraged others in their fight against cancer and reminded them that the survival rate is high for those with early detection.

She also was very saddened by those young (and older) people who use tobacco in any form, as it raises the risk for all types of cancer and other diseases.

If you live in Ketchikan, Southeast Alaska, or just have generous heart, you might think of donating to First City council on Cancer they were a great help in our fight and they are a great local organization.